Steamy and potentially stormy tropical air mass ahead next week?

Here it comes, Minnesota.

This is the time of year when we’re scanning the medium-range forecast maps for the first real heat events of summer. We’ve already hit 90-degrees twice in May in the Twin Cities. That’s about average.

Next week brings our next opportunity for 90-degree heat for much of Minnesota. A southerly wind flow straight from the Gulf of Mexico will pump a steamy tropical air mass into Minnesota next week.

Highs will run well into the 80s as early as next Monday. Right now Tuesday looks like the hottest day next week. Many forecast models are cranking out 90 degrees across a good part of Minnesota next Tuesday.

Here’s the European model.

Now check out the dew point forecast for next Tuesday. Dew points in the 70s will feel like a sauna.

Combine the temperature and dew point levels next Tuesday and you get heat index values around 100 degrees for much of Minnesota.

So enjoy our pleasant air mass this week. It looks like we’ll be enjoying a free sauna in one week.